The Supreme Court Speaks: Her Life, Her Choice, Her Right

Written by Muhammad Ahmad   A story of brutality,   where a woman exercised her legal, religious, and moral right to say “No.” But that ri...

Written by Muhammad Ahmad 

A story of brutality,  where a woman exercised her legal, religious, and moral right to say “No.” But that right, meant to protect her dignity, became the cause of her death. It is the story of a man who, intoxicated by false masculinity, turned a humble rejection into a matter of wounded ego. A man who treated a simple refusal as an unbearable insult and responded with murder. Yet, his violence could not escape the reach of justice. Eventually, the Supreme Court not only upheld his conviction but also issued a powerful message: this kind of brutality has no place in a just society.

All of this centers around a recent Supreme Court judgment in the long-standing case of Mr. Kamran vs. The State and Another. Through this decision, justice was finally served to the victim, but more importantly, the Court delivered a powerful social message: those who violate the dignity and autonomy of women will not evade the law, nor will the legal system show any leniency toward such offenders.

The case unfolded as follows: a man named Muhammad Kamran proposed to his cousin, Ms. Maimuna Shaheen, for marriage. The girl humbly rejected him, but Muhammad Kamran considered it an insult to his ego. How could a woman reject a man? Driven by his wounded pride, on the morning of January 27, 2011, at about 7:15 am, the accused entered Ms. Maimuna Shaheen's house and shot her in the chest, brutally ending her life.

Later that same day, an FIR was registered against the accused. Following due legal process, the trial court sentenced him to death along with a fine. This verdict was subsequently upheld by the High Court. When an appeal was filed before the Supreme Court, the apex court not only affirmed the lower courts' decisions but also issued a powerful statement affirming the freedom, autonomy, and sanctity of women, making it clear that such acts of violence will be met with the full force of the law.

The Supreme Court upheld, “No one has the right to force another into marriage and the autonomy and dignity of women are protected by law. The act of taking a life because of refusal to marry is an affront not only to the individual but to the principle of justice and the autonomy of women.”

The judgment further emphasized that it is a disgraceful act when a man, unable to accept a woman’s refusal, resorts to tormenting or harming her. The court made it unequivocally clear that there can be no leniency in cases involving gender-based violence. Any soft stance in such matters, it warned, could set a dangerous and misleading judicial precedent. Citing Article 9 of the Constitution, the decision reaffirmed that no one has the right to deprive another person of life or liberty, fundamental rights that must be protected without compromise.

Therefore, through this landmark decision, the Supreme Court has not only reaffirmed the sentence handed down to the offender but has also delivered a resounding social message, one that echoes far beyond the walls of the courtroom. It sends a clear warning: no man, under any circumstance, has the right to violate a woman’s autonomy, dignity, or right to choose, simply to satisfy his ego or wounded pride. The judgment establishes that a woman’s consent is not just a personal preference, it is a legal and constitutional right, and any attempt to override it is a punishable offense.

By upholding the verdict, the Court reinforced the principle that a woman is not an object to be claimed, but a human being with agency, whose choices deserve respect and protection. This ruling is a step toward dismantling deeply rooted patriarchal norms that treat women as passive recipients of decisions made for them. It boldly asserts that the law is not indifferent to gender-based violence, and that any such violence, especially when fueled by entitlement and rejected ego, will be met with the full force of justice.

The Court’s message is one of empowerment: that women in Pakistan have the undeniable right to make decisions about their own lives, including whom they choose to marry, and that this right is enshrined in the law. It is a declaration that the days of silence and impunity must end, and that the dignity and freedom of every woman must be upheld, without exception.

In a society where women are often married off without their consent, where a simple refusal can render them social outcasts, and where asserting their rights is seen as an act of defiance, this decision stands as a powerful and much-needed affirmation. It recognizes a woman’s autonomy not as rebellion, but as a fundamental right. By legally safeguarding her dignity and freedom of choice, the judgment challenges harmful cultural norms and sends a clear signal that a woman’s voice matters. In such a context, a ruling that upholds her right to choose and grants her legal protection is not just welcome, it is a vital step toward justice and equality.

According to this judgment, forced marriage is not only a robbery of a woman's rights but also against her dignity. This position is also consistent with Islamic teachings, which forbid forced marriages. There are clear injunctions against it in the Quran and Sunnah. As Allah says:

“Believers! It is not lawful for you to become heirs to women against their will. It is not lawful that you should put constraint upon them so that you may take away anything of what you have given them…”  (4:19)

In another place Allah says:

“ And of His Signs is that He has created mates for you from your own kind that you may find peace in them and He has set between you love and mercy. Surely there are Signs in this for those who reflect.” (30:21)

Similarly, the Prophetic hadiths also contain clear injunctions against forced marriage.

Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas: A girl came to the Prophet صلی ‌اللہ ‌علیہ ‌وسلم and mentioned that her father had married her against her will, so the Prophet صلی ‌اللہ ‌علیہ ‌وسلم allowed her to exercise her choice. ( Abu Dawood-2096),( Ibn e Majah-1875)

Thus, in the light of all these arguments, it is clear as day that forced marriage is grave injustice and violation of women's rights. We must end this evil so that women's autonomy and dignity can be restored.

But the journey does not end here. This ruling must become more than a headline or a citation in legal books, it must translate into everyday protections, real empowerment, and cultural change. We must educate our sons as much as we empower our daughters. We must build communities where a woman’s no is met with respect, not rage.

Let this be the beginning of a new era, one where every woman in Pakistan can live, speak, and choose freely. One where her life, her voice, and her right are not only protected by law but honoured by society.